Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-05-30


Memorial day observances in Rock ISL
and today were of the usual appropriate
! order, being general and impressive, yet
not demonstrative. AT O'Clock the DIFF |
ferent military and civic societies met on |
Union square and marched down Second |
avenue to court house square, the column
being formed in the following order:
Chief Marshal W J. Ransom and aids
nj T. Stafford and Ed Wilcox
Platoon of police in command of City |
Marshal John Brennan
/ Bleuer's band. c. H. Stoddard drum |
major.
Mayor V NJ. Blauding and city coun.
Gil
Rodman Rifles in command of Capt H |
NJ. Abel.
Sons of Veterans drum corps
Beardsley camp, Sons of Veterans in |
command of Capt. Capt. w. L. Dripps |
Buford post drum corps.
mand sf E H. Buck, commander.
Arriving at the monument in court
house square the military societies formed
about the outside, while officers of the
day, municipal bodies, speakers, etc. took |
seats upon platform which had been
erected in the enclosure.
THE MONUMENT
had been beautifully and skillfully deco>
rated by the committees of the post.
Women's Relief Corps, Sons of Veterans
and Ladies Aid Society A very attrac-
| tive feature of the floral displays was a
chair designed by Mrs. E. q. Buck.
The exercises opened with dirge by
Bleuer's band, when commander Buck
opened the services in the usual form
from the G. A r. ritual Chaplain J.
| H. Clelsnd read the prayer prescribed for
the occasion, and then came music by the /
| glee club, composed of Messrs. Griffith.
Corns, Don, Noftsker. Cooke, Dodge.
Robinson and Perrett. Comrades Well
come, - was the selection.
Mayor V, NJ Blanding was introduced
He recalled the stirring and exciting
scenes OF a quarter of a century ago
when along our streets were heard the
sounds of fife and drum of those going
forth in their patriotic devotion to their
country. The
NOBLE SENTIMENT
which act1ated the young men who rose
in defense of their lmperrilled native land
then, was alluded to- and it was but fitting
and proper, Mr.. Bsnding said, that the
memories OF those, our honored dead,
should be perpetuated 1t was proper
to meet once year to strew flowers. the
emblems of faith and hope, upon the
graves of those who had given up their
lives in such a patriotic cause. The
mayor said their was always a welcome
to this sainted spot which was common
to us all.
DR.. ]. 81. Mckee was introduced. He
spoke of the annual assembling to pay
tribute to the departed comrades. During
the last year, thousands of our comrades
have heard the last Lights Out" One in
particular had gone beyond since the last
solemn gathering. 1t was Gen. John A.
Logan who had originated this beautiful
service in 1868, when commander>in-
chief of the G. A r. 1t was he who
said Guard well the graves of the
departed heroes, and if all the conse-
Grated wealth of the nation was added tC
their establishment and safety, it would
be but fitting tribute to their memory.
Our Commander-in- chief, DR.. Mckee
said, recommends that we take the elo9usn
and inspiring words of Gen. Logan a
inspiration for our services today. The
speaker then grouped together the char.
acteristics of Gen. Logan's disposition
his attitude in southern Illinois at thu
opening of the war where, surround
ed by Southern sympathizes, h,
cut himself apart from all dis
loyal tendencies and laid himself upor
the altar of his country for service or sac
rifice if need be. Here glowing tribut
was paid to the leader of the voluntee
no hud md an
Whether at the head of q regiment,
brigade, corps or an army, he was al
ways.at his post of duty in the thickes
of the fight.
GEN. LoGAN's RECORD
on the battle field and in congress wa
compared. He was always found advo
eating the right and he always had th
right. He was the soldiers best frient
and advocate, and he combined the tw,
elements of craftsmanship and general
ship better than any other American.
Speaking of these memorial observances
ends all; neither is it pleasant though
to endulge that when the lamp of lif
goes out we are to be forgotten. Gu
Redeemer, be it said in reverence, es
tablished memorial service when b
said, DO this in remembrance of me.
1t is our privilege and our duty to Great
memorial service for our comrades
We wish To preserve these services as